What if reducing emergency department readmissions wasn’t about working harder, but about leading smarter through data, teamwork, and innovation?

In this episode of PEMBA On Demand, host Dr. Norman A. Chapin speaks with Dr. Max Baumgardner DO, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer at AdventHealth Apopka and current student in the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA program. Dr. Baumgardner shares the transformational journey of leading a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at reducing emergency department readmissions. He explains how his team leveraged data, care coordination, centralized case management, Epic integration, and innovative emergency department interventions to improve patient outcomes and move system performance from bottom quartile to top quartile. Dr. Baumgardner discusses the leadership lessons gained through PEMBA, the power of frontline engagement, and strategies for balancing administrative and clinical responsibilities while creating sustainable, scalable improvement.

Key Topics Covered

• Reducing emergency department readmissions through multidisciplinary collaboration
• Identifying high risk patients using real world data insights
• Leveraging Epic tools and alerts to improve care coordination
• The value of centralized case management and live Epic chat support
• Innovative emergency department solutions including infusions, dialysis, and direct facility placement
• Strengthening transitions of care using care plans and team based communication
• Maintaining quality and performance metrics while implementing major change
• Leadership strategies for empowering teams and sustaining improvement
• Balancing clinical work and the Chief Medical Officer role
• How the PEMBA program accelerated leadership capabilities and project success

Links and Resources

• Dr. Max Baumgardner on LinkedIn
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-baumgardner-do/
  
• ‍⚕️ Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
  
• ▶ PEMBA On Demand YouTube
  https://www.youtube.com/@PEMBAON-DEMAND
  
• AdventHealth Apopka
  https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-apopka
  
• Physician Executive MBA Program – University of Tennessee
  https://haslamgradprograms.utk.edu/programs/mba/physician-executive-pemba/
  

How does a practicing surgeon turn a simple idea into a global platform transforming how surgeons connect, learn, and lead?

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin interviews Dr. Mark Soliman, surgeon, entrepreneur, and graduate of the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA (PEMBA) program. Dr. Soliman shares his inspiring journey from clinical surgery to co-founding Surgeon, a secure social networking and education platform built exclusively for surgeons.

He discusses the rapid growth of the platform, how it’s transforming peer-to-peer collaboration in surgical practice, and the realities of leading a healthcare startup. Dr. Soliman also reflects on how business education reshaped his leadership mindset, empowered his entrepreneurial goals, and provided the tools to innovate in an evolving healthcare ecosystem. His story offers valuable lessons for physicians seeking to combine clinical expertise with business acumen to create lasting impact.

Key Topics Covered

• The founding story and mission behind Surgeon, a secure networking and education hub for surgeons
• Challenges and rewards of transitioning from clinical practice to entrepreneurship
  
• Navigating early-stage startup challenges, funding, and strategic growth
• Building community and engagement through a physician-led digital platform
  
• The role of trust, collaboration, and security in medical networking
• How the PEMBA program provided business, leadership, and strategic skills for success
• Lessons in innovation, risk-taking, and perseverance from the startup journey
• Balancing the dual identities of clinician and entrepreneur
  
• Practical advice for physicians seeking to innovate or launch their own ventures
• The future of healthcare technology and physician-led digital ecosystems

Dr. Mark Soliman's Bio:

Dr. Mark Soliman, MD, MBA is a colorectal surgeon, entrepreneur, and PEMBA graduate from the University of Tennessee. He is the co-founder of Surgeon, a secure, physician-only platform designed to connect surgeons globally for education, case collaboration, and professional development. With a deep passion for innovation and leadership, Dr. Soliman combines his surgical expertise with business insight to advance healthcare through technology and community-driven solutions.

Links & Resources

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
  
• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple
  
• SurgeOn – Surgery Unified Platform
• SurgeOn App
• Dr. Mark Soliman on LinkedIn
• AdventHealth

What does it take for a physician to redefine success and build a career that truly aligns with purpose, passion, and leadership?

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin sits down with Dr. Pamela Sullivan, founder of National Healthcare Solutions, PLLC and former Chief Clinical Officer at Landmark Health. Dr. Sullivan—an accomplished physician leader, author, and consultant—shares her remarkable journey from physical therapy to emergency medicine, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship. She discusses the inspiration behind her new book, Career Prescription Guide: A Physician’s Guide for Career Transformation or Advancement, and the deeper motivations physicians should explore before making major career moves.

Together, they unpack key themes from her book, including identifying your “why,” recognizing the arrival fallacy, navigating cultural fit, and building a fulfilling leadership path aligned with your values. Dr. Sullivan also reflects on her PEMBA experience, lessons from consulting, and how her MBA boosted her confidence, perspective, and leadership impact.

Key Topics Covered:

• The inspiration and process behind writing Career Prescription Guide
  
• How imposter syndrome and personal stories shaped the book’s message
• Recognizing the arrival fallacy—why new roles don’t always equal happiness
• Evaluating career pivots and transitions objectively, not emotionally
• Assessing organizational culture and finding the right professional fit
• The founding of National Healthcare Solutions, PLLC and lessons from consulting
• Balancing entrepreneurship with full-time leadership opportunities
• How the PEMBA experience transformed her confidence, mindset, and peer network
• The importance of mentorship, self-awareness, and resilience in career growth
• Advice for physicians seeking leadership roles or pursuing new credentials (MBA, CPE, FACHE)

Dr. Pamela Sullivan’s Bio:

Dr. Pamela Sullivan, MD, MBA, CPE, FACP, FCUCM, PT is the Founder and Principal Consultant at National Healthcare Solutions, PLLC, and the former Chief Clinical Officer at Landmark Health. A board-certified physician and accomplished healthcare executive, she has led transformative initiatives in value-based care, clinical operations, and physician leadership. Dr. Sullivan is also the author of Career Prescription Guide: A Physician’s Guide for Career Transformation or Advancement, published by the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL). Through her work, she empowers physicians to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Links & Resources

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn

• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple

• Dr. Pamela Sullivan on LinkedIn

• American Association for Physician Leadership

• PEMBA On Demand on YouTube

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin sits down with Dr. Karin Hotchkiss, pediatric surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hotchkiss shares her experience leading the hospital’s transformation into a freestanding children’s facility, offering an inside look at the challenges and opportunities that come with guiding large-scale organizational change. She discusses balancing clinical and administrative responsibilities, leveraging her PEMBA education to enhance leadership effectiveness, and using innovation to improve care delivery. The conversation also touches on integrating telehealth, addressing pediatric specialist shortages, and creating centers of excellence to elevate specialized pediatric care.

• Leading the transition of Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to a freestanding facility
  
  
• The evolving role of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in modern healthcare leadership
  
  
• Balancing clinical practice with administrative duties while maintaining physician credibility
  
  
• How the PEMBA program shaped Dr. Hotchkiss’s leadership approach and decision-making
  
  
• Managing human resources and organizational behavior in complex healthcare systems
  
  
• Integrating technology and AI into strategic hospital planning and future operations
  
  
• Expanding telehealth and virtual care models to improve accessibility and outcomes
  
  
• Developing centers of excellence for high-quality pediatric specialty care
  
  
• Redefining medical staff structure and credentialing to support institutional growth
  
  
• The importance of networking, mentorship, and collaboration for physician leaders
  
  

Dr. Karin Hotchkiss’s Bio:

Dr. Karin Hotchkiss is a pediatric surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, where she oversees the hospital’s clinical operations and strategic transformation. A graduate of the Physician Executive MBA (PEMBA) program at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Hotchkiss blends her clinical expertise with business acumen to drive organizational innovation, strengthen physician engagement, and enhance pediatric care delivery.

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
• PEMBA On...

How does a doctor go from struggling to find a job in emergency medicine to building a platform that’s transforming how clinicians navigate their careers?

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin interviews Dr. Leon Adelman, co-founder of Ivy Clinicians. Dr. Adelman shares his journey from struggling to land emergency medicine jobs to building a groundbreaking marketplace designed to bring transparency to physician and clinician job searches. He reflects on the challenges of creating the platform, the evolution of Ivy Clinicians’ business model, and the marketing strategies that helped attract users and establish trust. The conversation also explores the shift from podcasting to a newsletter format, the transition to a paid subscription model, and how industry forces like the “No Surprises Act” and private equity ownership are reshaping emergency medicine. Dr. Adelman closes by reflecting on how his MBA experience fueled his entrepreneurial journey and continues to guide his leadership in healthcare innovation.

• The founding story of Ivy Clinicians and its mission to create transparency in job searches
  
  
• Challenges of building and scaling a marketplace platform in healthcare
  
  
• Evolution of Ivy Clinicians’ business model and user acquisition strategies
  
  
• Marketing approaches that helped the company grow and gain credibility
  
  
• Transitioning from a podcast to a newsletter to provide deeper industry insights
  
  
• Navigating the move to a paid subscription model
  
  
• How the “No Surprises Act” is impacting emergency medicine providers
  
  
• The financial struggles of private equity-owned emergency medicine firms
  
  
• Broader implications of private equity’s role in healthcare
  
  
• Reflections on how an MBA experience shaped Dr. Adelman’s entrepreneurial path
  
  

Dr. Leon Adelman is the co-founder of Ivy Clinicians, a healthcare marketplace focused on transparency and accessibility for job-seeking physicians and clinicians. With a background in e...

How do you transform a concierge-style medical practice into a team-based model that truly serves aging patients with chronic conditions?

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin interviews Sandy Valino Stock, Managing Medical Director at OSF Complete Care 55 Plus. Sandy shares her journey from running a concierge-style direct primary care practice to leading a team-based, insurance-inclusive model that focuses on adults 55 and older living with chronic conditions. She offers insights on adapting care models to patient needs, implementing innovative programs, and balancing leadership with clinical work. The discussion also explores physician well-being, the value of mentorship, and strategies for building sustainable, patient-centered healthcare systems.

• Transitioning from a concierge-style direct primary care model to an insurance-inclusive system

• How to adapt healthcare practices to evolving patient needs and market demands

• Designing a unique care model for patients aged 55+ with chronic conditions at OSF Complete Care 55 Plus

• The impact of team-based care and cross-training staff on patient experience and efficiency

• Leveraging remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs for chronic condition management

• Addressing physician burnout and the role of self-care and mindfulness in practice

• Why mentorship and business acumen are essential for career transitions in medicine

• Growth and expansion plans for OSF Complete Care 55 Plus to serve an aging population

• Integrating telemedicine with personalized care strategies in modern healthcare

• Balancing clinical responsibilities with administrative leadership in physician roles

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple
• Sandy Valino Stock, DO, MBA on LinkedIn

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin sits down with Dr. Thom Lobe—pediatric surgeon, entrepreneur, innovator, and founder of the T.E. Lobe Family Foundation—to explore how a family foundation can become a powerful engine for physician-led innovation. Dr. Lobe explains the trust-and-foundation structure that directs non-W2 income into mission-driven initiatives, why he chose a private family foundation, and the safeguards that ensure accountability. The conversation also highlights his three central missions: advancing early childhood education, expanding access to stem cell therapies for children, and developing an AI-enabled infant health monitoring device. Whether you’re considering your legacy, launching new ventures, or seeking sustainable ways to fund transformative care models, this episode offers both practical strategies and inspiring lessons.

• Why Dr. Lobe created a family foundation and how it differs from a public foundation or donor-advised fund

• The business trust → family trust → foundation flow for non-W2 revenue (and why trusts must be irrevocable)

• Governance basics: directors, annual filings, spending rules (the 5% minimum distribution), and audit trails

• Mission focus: early childhood education, need-based support for stem cell treatments, and an AI-driven infant monitor

• Inside the R&D model: funding engineers, building a prototype, planning FDA studies, and aiming for affordability & access

• Clinical lens on stem cells for neuroinflammation in autism and other conditions; importance of repeated treatments

• Practical lessons learned: choosing the right attorneys/accountants, state nuances, and avoiding common setup mistakes

• Vision & scale: multi-million-dollar grant goals, market outlook for infant monitoring, and building a legacy vehicle for family involvement

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple
• T.E. Lobe Family Foundation: lobefoundation.org

In this episode of "PEMBA On Demand," Dr. Joseph Nounou, a 2020 PEMBA graduate, shares his transition from anesthesia to founding Auros Pharma, a biotech startup tackling the opioid crisis with a novel medication. He discusses his motivations for pursuing an MBA, the challenges of launching a pharmaceutical company during COVID-19, and the personal and financial sacrifices involved. Dr. Nounou emphasizes the importance of physician leadership in drug development and his commitment to affordable, life-saving treatments, highlighting how business education empowered him to drive innovation and broader impact in healthcare.

• Transition from clinical practice in anesthesia to entrepreneurship in biotech.
• Founding of Auros Pharma to address the opioid crisis with a novel medication.
• Motivations for pursuing an MBA to gain business knowledge.
• Challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on business management.
• Personal transformation driven by burnout and a desire for a more fulfilling career.
• The process of bootstrapping a pharmaceutical startup and financial realities involved.
• Importance of physician involvement in the pharmaceutical industry and drug development.
• Regulatory complexities and the FDA approval process for new medications.
• The role of physicians in promoting effective and cost-efficient prescribing practices.
• Future aspirations for Auros Pharma's medication and the impact of mentorship from the PEMBA program.

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn

• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple

• Dr. Joseph Nounou on LinkedIn